How to Read a GHS Label: 6 Required Elements Explained

2026-04-12 • GHS Pictograms Editorial Team

A GHS label is not just a sticker — it is a legally required safety document. Under the CLP Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 in the European Union and OSHA HCS 2012 in the United States, every hazardous chemical must carry a label with exactly 6 mandatory elements.

Missing even one element can result in regulatory non-compliance, OSHA citations, or — more importantly — a preventable workplace accident.

This guide walks through each element in plain language, with real examples.

The 6 Mandatory GHS Label Elements

Let’s go through each one.

Element 1: Product Identifier

The product identifier tells you what substance or mixture is in the container. For pure substances, this is typically the chemical name, CAS number, or EC number. For mixtures, it is the trade name plus the identity of hazardous ingredients above concentration cut-offs.

Example:

Acetone
CAS No. 67-64-1
EC No. 200-662-2

The product identifier must match the information in the Safety Data Sheet (SDS), specifically Section 1.

Element 2: GHS Pictograms

Pictograms are the most immediately recognisable part of a GHS label. There are 9 standardised GHS pictograms, each representing a category of hazard. They appear as black symbols on a white background, inside a red diamond border.

Pictogram Hierarchy Rules

Not all pictograms can appear together. CLP applies a hierarchy to avoid contradictory signals:

👉 Our GHS Label Constructor applies these hierarchy rules automatically when you build a label.

Element 3: Signal Word

The signal word indicates the relative severity of the hazard. There are only two options under GHS:

Important: Only one signal word appears on a label. If a product qualifies for both, DANGER takes precedence.

Example:

Ethanol (96%) → WARNING (Flammable Liquid Category 2 uses DANGER; but 96% ethanol is Cat 3 → WARNING)
Methanol → DANGER (Acute Tox. Category 3)

Element 4: Hazard Statements (H Phrases)

Hazard statements describe the nature and degree of hazard in standardised wording. Each statement has a code beginning with H followed by three digits.

H-code structure

Common H statements with examples

All H statements are standardised by regulation — the exact wording cannot be changed or paraphrased on the label.

Element 5: Precautionary Statements (P Phrases)

Precautionary statements describe what to do to minimise or prevent adverse effects. P codes begin with P followed by three digits.

P-code categories

Common P statements

How many P statements are required?

CLP allows manufacturers to select the most relevant P statements for their product — not all applicable ones must appear. The label should include enough to cover prevention, response, storage, and disposal without becoming unreadable.

Labels on small containers (≤125 ml) may omit H and P statements if the hazard category is mild and space is insufficient — but pictograms and signal word remain mandatory.

Element 6: Supplier Information

The label must identify the supplier of the substance or mixture. This includes:

• Name of the company (manufacturer, importer, or downstream user placing on market)
• Address (at minimum, country of establishment)
• Telephone number (for emergency contact purposes)

Example:

Acme Chemicals GmbH
Industriestrasse 45, 60329 Frankfurt, Germany
Tel: +49 69 123 4567

This information links the label to the Safety Data Sheet and allows emergency services to obtain technical information quickly.

Real-World Label Example: Acetone

Let’s apply all 6 elements to a real substance — Acetone (CAS 67-64-1):

Label Size Requirements (CLP)

CLP Regulation specifies minimum label dimensions based on container volume:

GHS Label vs SDS: What Goes Where?

A GHS label and a Safety Data Sheet (SDS) work together but are not interchangeable:

Tools for Building Compliant GHS Labels

• 🏷️ GHS Label Constructor — Build a complete GHS label with automatic pictogram hierarchy and P-statement optimisation
• 🔍 GHS vs ADR Inspector — See GHS and ADR labels side by side for any substance
• 📚 GHS Pictogram Library — Download all 9 GHS pictograms in SVG format for print and digital use
• 🧪 Substance Database — Search 4,000+ substances with full GHS classification, H and P statements

Official References

• CLP Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 — EUR-Lex
• ECHA Guidance on Labelling and Packaging
• UN GHS Purple Book Rev. 10 — UNECE
• OSHA HCS 2012 — GHS in the USA

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